when I was on SSRI, I didn't really feel any better. What it was for me is that I didn't reach the bottom so easily. If my mood was normally like from 3 to -10, on SSRI it went from 3 to like -5/-6.
My experience was similar except the top end score was also lowered, I.e. it became impossible to feel excited or motivated about anything. I believe SSRI response varies greatly between different individuals and drugs though, so this is just one data point and YMMV